What should be done for the cultivation and management techniques of the citrus variety Fremont mandarin?

Master the timing and proportion of fruit thinning to grow good fruit. The Fremont mandarin is large and beautiful, so what should be noted when growing it in order to cultivate it well?

As the weather gradually turns cooler, the citrus season has arrived again, and experienced gourmets begin searching the market for the Fremont mandarin. The Fremont mandarin has a production period from November to December. Because its rind is a bright orange-red and its flesh is sweet with a hint of sourness and full of aroma, it is called one of the most delicious mandarins. However, the Fremont mandarin fruit is rather small, which affects farmers' willingness to grow it and consumers' willingness to buy it. In order to further let the public understand the Fremont mandarin and promote Fremont mandarin cultivation techniques, the Taitung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan (hereinafter referred to as the Taitung Station) held a "Fremont Mandarin Cultivation Technique Demonstration and Observation Meeting" on the morning of November 27, 2018 (ROC year 107) at the orchard of farmer Gao Ruiyun in Beinan Township, Taitung County, attracting nearly 70 farmers to attend.

Chen Xinyan, Director of the Taitung Station, said that Taitung's climate is suitable for citrus growth, and the distinctive citrus within its jurisdiction is also an important part of Taitung's fruit tree industry. The Fremont mandarin has a fresh red, appealing fruit color, good fruit quality, and stable yield, and is a potential variety for diversified citrus cultivation. It is hoped that through this observation meeting, precision cultivation techniques will be promoted to farmers, and more people will come to know this delicious citrus.

At the meeting, Assistant Researcher Lin Yanyu introduced the fruit thinning technique for the Fremont mandarin. First, one must understand the physiological fruit drop phenomenon of the Fremont mandarin. Each year in mid-to-late May, fruit drop tends to slow down, and this is the best time for fruit thinning. The amount of fruit thinned is about 40% of the fruit on the whole tree. This fruit thinning method can increase the medium-to-large fruit rate by 21%. Orchard owner Ms. Gao Ruiyun also shared her experience in growing the Fremont mandarin and the importance of fruit thinning.

Finally, Chen Xinyan, Director of the Taitung Station, said that fruit thinning is one part of cultivation techniques. In the future, farmers are welcome to make greater use of the Taitung Station's various resources, including consultation on cultivation techniques such as pest and disease control and pruning, as well as soil and leaf testing and recommendations for fertilizer management, to work together for the development of the citrus industry.